Guillermo Del Toro Confirms He Was Approached To Direct STAR WARS EPISODE VII

Guillermo Del Toro Confirms He Was Approached To Direct STAR WARS EPISODE VII

Would you have believed so many directors would pass this up? Del Toro admits that he was indeed offered the job, but had to turn it down due to having so much on his plate already. However, he does give the name of the man he would love to see take the reigns instead..

News
By MarkCassidy - Jan 07, 2013 06:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: The Playlist

It seems Disney really are casting the net over all of Hollywood in their search for a director for their new Star Wars flick. A while ago Guillermo del Toro's name popped up as part of a rumored shortlist, but I don't think anyone really thought the fan-favorite director was involved. Well, as it turns out he WAS offered the gig, but as flattered as he was, was forced to turn it down..



"We got one phone call to my agent saying, 'Is Guillermo interested?' And basically I have so much stuff already of my own, and I'm pursuing stuff that I'm generating already..It was very flattering. It was just a phone call, it didn't go past that, it was very nice to be asked, but believe it or not, I'm busy enough."


Del Toro is only the latest in a string of directors to reveal that they were asked, and had to pass on helming the movie. We had been led to believe that Disney had narrowed their search down to 2 (though they remain unnamed) but this has never been officially confirmed. Whatever happens, there is one man Del Toro believes is the right director for the job. "I think the fans deserve somebody that is just going to immerse themselves completely," he said. "As a geek, I would have loved to see Brad Bird take it." As would a great many people, but unfortunately we also know that's not going to happen as Bird is busy with his own sci-fi project, 1952. At this stage it seems entirely possible that Disney will have to go down the unknown route for a director! Who'd have thunk it.







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DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 1/7/2013, 6:43 AM
Well lets add him to the list of people who dont want to do this movie. Sometimes it seems like only Vaughn and Favreau want to do this film.
Alphaman06
Alphaman06 - 1/7/2013, 6:45 AM
This honestly makes me worried.... I understand that he is busy but a lot of good directors are turning down this movie. No one wants to do it. I honestly dont blame them not wanting to be the guy that [frick]ed up star wars
AlexRival
AlexRival - 1/7/2013, 7:01 AM
I'm pretty sure that Lucas takes that award Alphaman.
Vadakin
Vadakin - 1/7/2013, 7:19 AM
Alfonso Cuaron - make it happen Disney.
StarkRaving
StarkRaving - 1/7/2013, 7:27 AM
I think that many of the directors that have been approached would *like* to helm a Star Wars film. The problem is that they already have other commitments.
plasticman
plasticman - 1/7/2013, 7:28 AM
I think he is at the top of every possible movie because they know he can make it happen. He says that a lot, ManOfSuperguy, but it's because of his reputation and how deep he gets into his projects.

I see both sides on directors passing this up, first they don't want to do what happened to the prequel trilogy. Second, this was unexpected up until a couple of months ago and so these great directors needs a year or two of notice and can't jump right in like Disney wants.

I also see some directors thinking they don't want this first movie but think they might have a shot at the other two in the trilogy if it doesn't go quite as planned.
DukeAcureds
DukeAcureds - 1/7/2013, 7:29 AM
monkeyballs3@ You still haven't made peace with the Ewoks? Dude, it was 30 years ago, now.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 1/7/2013, 7:32 AM
He always says he has lots on his plate, but look at the plate: Producing mediocre horror flicks and making a [frick]ing Pinocchio movie - all worthy of passing on Star Wars for!!
Hellsing
Hellsing - 1/7/2013, 7:34 AM
@ManOfSuperGuy Its because "this guy" does get offered a ton of shit, he's on the top of every producers list because they know he can deliver. And honestly Del Toro doesn't need to lie about if he's been offered all those movies or not the guys a huge director.

And honestly its not that so many directors are turning down all the offer, for the First film, which if it is successful (I don't mean financially all of star wars film are successful financially) in erasing the memories of the prequels especially the first 2. Then all the directors will be lining up to get a chance to direct them. Whoever gets the gig has one hell of a [frick]ing job to do.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 1/7/2013, 7:36 AM
BRAD BIRD IS MY CHOICE
GLprime2814
GLprime2814 - 1/7/2013, 7:42 AM
As a fan of course I want them to pick a good director but it could also go either way, it could still be worst than the prequels, but I don't blame all these directors for declining to direct Star Wars its got to be scary to think about,its like asking a historian to re do the constitution or a painter being asked to re do the Sistine chapel.
if you make a good movie you will be praised but then if it stinks you will be crucified, Star Wars is one of those franchises that has to be good.
guywithspoilers
guywithspoilers - 1/7/2013, 7:45 AM
Does anyone know what comic that image above is from, the one with Vader amidst the AT-ATs?

It looks really dope.
PapaEmeritus
PapaEmeritus - 1/7/2013, 7:49 AM
Ror, i get you, but you know - after the new trilogy, new Star Wars flicks are like grenades with pulled pin!
Danbojohnj
Danbojohnj - 1/7/2013, 7:52 AM
Are they all passing because they don't have the balls to tackle SW or because of all the baggage that goes with it or does the script just plain suck?
Either way I wish they would just announce somebody,I'm going nuts here.
DukeAcureds
DukeAcureds - 1/7/2013, 7:52 AM
monkeyballs3@ I totally agree, the Vader/ Luke/ Emperor scenes made that movie. But I also loved the whole Jabba segment, "death" of Boba notwithstanding.
PeterParker1991
PeterParker1991 - 1/7/2013, 7:55 AM
What a surprise this is. Not
l0rdleg0las
l0rdleg0las - 1/7/2013, 7:59 AM
This is a tough project to take on, so I'm not surprised so many Don't want to do it. Whoever does it needs to make something original in a vast cinematic universe but also make something that is undeniably star wars that has to out-do the last trilogy. It is quite possibly the most recognized film franchise in the world. Screwing up can very well end a career
spookyelectric
spookyelectric - 1/7/2013, 8:02 AM
peter jackson
Fogs
Fogs - 1/7/2013, 8:11 AM
PJ or Favreau.
ndwwrestler2
ndwwrestler2 - 1/7/2013, 8:43 AM
I think no one wants to do it because of how things went down with the prequel trilogy, and the backlash Lucas got from it.

No one wants to be "the most hated man in Star Wars" And all that weight and expectation they will be carrying may be a little too much.

They need to ask Rian Johnson at the very least.
iordanisp
iordanisp - 1/7/2013, 8:50 AM
Ther is NO way we are going to have a new film in 2015.
jimpinto24
jimpinto24 - 1/7/2013, 9:05 AM
I hope Matthew Vaughn becomes the director of Star Wars Episode 7. Any film Matthew Vaughn directs is a hit. 2004's Layer Cake, 2010's Kick Ass & 2011's X-M First Class.
beane2099
beane2099 - 1/7/2013, 9:09 AM
I believe it. Directing Episode VII would be a dream/nightmare come true. In the world of science fiction films, that's like being asked to write a new book of the Bible. Not to mention that a lot of the names that we (and Disney execs) would like to see attached are all busy at the moment. I would say go for an unknown for this, but with so much at stake, can they take that chance?

I also have no doubt that when Avengers 2 is done they will be courting Whedon hard core to do one of those movies.
shamo
shamo - 1/7/2013, 9:09 AM
Chris Nolan for director.
StrangerX
StrangerX - 1/7/2013, 9:10 AM
Give me The Rule of Two
I want to see Ray Stevenson as Bane
ray stevenson Pictures, Images and Photos
pud333
pud333 - 1/7/2013, 9:38 AM
I can see why a so many directors are passing on SW. It's already such an established franchise. Chances are, many directors want to create something that's entirely their own. the only people interested in directing this seems to be super fanboys of the original trilogy.
Mrcool210
Mrcool210 - 1/7/2013, 9:52 AM
guys thisi s such an easy choice, just go to david yates, the latter harry potter movies show he could do a damn good star wars
gmckoy
gmckoy - 1/7/2013, 10:49 AM
del toro was a great choice

but hes busy, i could have told disney that

whoever does it will most likely do a good job, its the writers that you guys should worry about, because kasden is not attached till episode 8, we have arndt who in my mind is still not capable, so i hope he does a good job, toy story and little miss sunshine isn't convincing for me at all
DukeAcureds
DukeAcureds - 1/7/2013, 11:08 AM
A lot of people saying that all these directors don't want to do it because of the prequels. What a crock of absolute wookiepoo.
The prequels do not ruin the middle trilogy. The original films are what it's all about. And this next trilogy will be a follow onfrom that. I'm a million times more excited about the concept of Episode VII than I ever was about Episode I. And I'm pretty sure it's the same for all these directors. This is the official continuation of the Star Wars trilogy. It has nothing to with the prequels or how bad they were. That has nothing to do with it.
Durf
Durf - 1/7/2013, 12:07 PM
I definitely think the reason that all these director are backing away is exactly what some others have said. They don't want to chance [frick]ing it up and being torn apart. Just how it is
DukeAcureds
DukeAcureds - 1/7/2013, 1:51 PM
Durf6199@ That sounds more like it. They ain't got the balls or the temerity to think they can do it without screwing it up, in some way. And I think they'd enjoy just being fans and taking back seats on it. Thye just wanna watch for themselves, like the rest of us and see what happens. If it's good, then they'll enjoy it all the more for that and if it's bad then they can come onto this site and bitch.
Tevii
Tevii - 1/7/2013, 5:41 PM
I have a theory why so many directors are turning this down: People's anticipation is impossible to match. The prequels were just as good as the original trilogy, but our anticipation was impossible to live up to. NO STAR WARS would've been good enough.

The first trilogy was a game changer, but the prequels were just as good. People expected another game changer... That's not cohesive.

A new trilogy will have high anticipation and potentially another directors career-suicide. The fans will destroy that person like they did Lucas. And that director won't deserve it anymore than Lucas did.
pintoman
pintoman - 1/7/2013, 6:15 PM
^^

Yes, Joe Johnston would be fine choice to bring back the original spirit.
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